Medhavi Skills University Launches ‘Skills First India Leadership Dialogue’ on World Youth Skills Day

New Delhi, July 15, 2026: Medhavi Skills University (MSU) marked World Youth Skills Day by convening the inaugural ‘Skills First India Leadership Dialogue’ at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, bringing together leaders from government, industry and academia to discuss the role of skills development in advancing India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The event was organised in line with this year's World Youth Skills Day theme, "Skills for a Shared Future."

The dialogue centred on the theme, "Building a Skills First India: The Workforce Imperative for Viksit Bharat 2047," and featured two panel discussions that explored the role of education, industry collaboration and public policy in creating a workforce equipped for future economic demands. The event also included addresses by Shri Robin Hibu, IPS, Special Commissioner (HR) and Director General of Police (DGP), Delhi Police, and Shri Nikhil Kanodia, Managing Director, Precision Electronics.

Speaking at the event, Shri Pravesh Dudani, Founder and Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University, said, "This year's World Youth Skills Day theme- 'Skills for a Shared Future' serves as a befitting reminder that the future cannot be built in silos. India has an unprecedented opportunity to lead by creating a skills-first ecosystem where education, industry and Government move together to transform learning into livelihood and potential into productivity."

Shri Kuldip Sarma, Co-Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Medhavi Skills University, added, "Building a Skills-First India is a shared national responsibility in our journey towards Viksit Bharat. This Leadership Dialogue is our effort to bring together the voices that matter and foster a sustained conversation around the partnerships, policies and pathways needed to equip young Indians for the future of work."

The first panel, "Reimagining Talent for India's Next Growth Story: An Industry Perspective," was moderated by Mr. Devender K. Saini, Chief Strategy Officer, Medhavi Group. The discussion featured Mr. Ashissh Kapoor, Director-Human Resources, Ernst & Young; Mr. Atanu Banerjee, CEO, Spectrum Talent Management Limited; Mr. Neeraj Malik, Whole Time Director, Board Member and CBO, Aptech Private Limited; Mr. Vivek Sinha, Founder and CEO, Emversity; Ms. Asha Pathania, Sr. VP-FM and Hospitality, PVR Inox; and Dr. Anjlee Prakash, Founder, Learning Links Foundation. The panel examined how industry can work alongside educational institutions and policymakers to integrate work-based learning into higher education and strengthen talent development.

The second panel, "From Vision to Execution: The Policy Roadmap for a Skills First India," was moderated by Ms. Suchita Dutta, Executive Director, Indian Staffing Federation. Panellists included Mr. Debmalya Banerjee, Regional Director (Northern Region), Indian Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Jassi Dimple, VP & Dean (Academics), Medhavi Skills University; Mr. Ankush Arora, HR Transformation Leader; and Dr. Swati Popat Vats, President, Early Childhood Association India and President, Podar Education Network. Discussions focused on policy frameworks, institutional partnerships and collaborative approaches to support a future-ready, skills-led economy.

With the launch of the Leadership Dialogue, Medhavi Skills University said it aims to establish a recurring platform for discussions on India's skilling ecosystem. Established by an Act of the Government of Sikkim, the UGC-recognised university follows an industry-integrated higher education model that combines academic learning with apprenticeships, workplace experience and industry partnerships.